Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) suffer from efficiency limitations due to interfacial charge recombination at the TiO₂/dye/electrolyte interface. In this study, aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS) was introduced onto nanoporous TiO₂ photoelectrodes via a dip-coating process with controlled coating times to investigate the effect of silanization time on interfacial charge transport behavior. Unlike concentration-driven structural modification, this work focuses on the evolution of the APS-modified interface governed by reaction time. The DSSC with 30 min APS treatment exhibited the highest power conversion efficiency of 5.34%, representing a 19% enhancement compared to the untreated device (4.49%), mainly due to increased short-circuit current density and open-circuit voltage. However, prolonged coating times (2 h and 24 h) resulted in a significant decrease in photocurrent density, leading to reduced device performance despite partial improvement in recombination resistance. These results are attributed to the time-dependent evolution of the APS interfacial layer. At moderate coating time, APS provides effective surface functionalization, enhancing dye adsorption and suppressing interfacial recombination. In contrast, prolonged coating is expected to induce increased surface coverage and silane condensation, which can hinder electron injection and increase charge transport resistance. Therefore, the photovoltaic performance is governed by a trade-off between recombination suppression and charge injection efficiency, controlled by the silanization time. This study highlights the critical role of interfacial reaction kinetics in determining charge transport behavior and provides an effective strategy for optimizing DSSC performance through time-dependent interface engineering.
Dye adsorption is one of the most time-consuming processes in the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), typically requiring approximately 24 h at room temperature. In this study, the effect of adsorption temperature and time on photovoltaic performance of DSSCs was investigated in order to reduce processing time and improve device productivity. Nanoporous TiO2 photoelectrodes were immersed in N719 dye solution at 60°C for 3 h, 10 h, 17 h, and 24 h, and their performance was compared with that of cells sensitized at room temperature for 24 h. Photovoltaic characterization under AM 1.5 illumination showed that DSSCs sensitized at 60°C exhibited improved performance compared to those sensitized at room temperature. The device sensitized at 60°C for 3 h showed comparable or higher conversion efficiency than the reference cell sensitized for 24 h at room temperature. The improvement in device performance is attributed to enhanced dye adsorption kinetics resulting from increased reaction rate between the carboxyl groups of N719 dye molecules and hydroxyl groups on the TiO2 surface. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis revealed reduced recombination resistance at the TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface for cells sensitized at elevated temperature. UV–Vis absorption analysis confirmed increased dye loading on the TiO2 surface for the 60°C condition. These results demonstrate that elevated temperature dye adsorption significantly reduces processing time while maintaining photovoltaic performance, providing an effective strategy for improving manufacturing efficiency of DSSCs.
The direct utilization of steelmaking by-product gases in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) offers a promising pathway to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in the steel industry. In this study, a Sr-deficient and Ni-doped double perovskite oxide, Sr1.95Fe1.35Ni0.15Mo0.5O6-δ (SFNM), was investigated as an anode material for direct Linz-Donawitz converter gas (LDG)-fueled SOFCs. A single-phase double perovskite structure was successfully obtained after calcination at 1,200°C for 12 h, while exsolved metallic Ni nanoparticles were generated on the SFNM surface after reduction at 800°C. Electrochemical performance was evaluated using H2, simulated-LDG, and CO/CO2 (85:15) fuels at 800°C. The maximum power densities achieved were 1.23, 0.70, and 0.40 W cm-2 for H2, simulated-LDG, and CO/CO2 fuels, respectively. Although CO-containing fuels exhibited lower opencircuit voltages and power outputs than H2, the SFNM anode maintained stable operation and appreciable performance under direct simulated-LDG utilization. Impedance analysis revealed that the increased polarization resistance in simulated-LDG and CO/CO2 atmospheres was mainly associated with fuel adsorption/desorption and gas diffusion, while interfacial charge-transfer resistance remained relatively small. The superior performance obtained with simulated-LDG compared to the CO/CO2 mixture was attributed to the presence of a small amount of H2, which facilitated anode reaction kinetics. These results demonstrate that SFNM is a promising mixed ionic-electronic conductor anode for the direct electrochemical conversion of CO-rich steelmaking by-product gases into electricity.
Organic solar cells based on bulk heterojunction (BHJ) structures have attracted considerable attention because of their low fabrication cost, mechanical flexibility, and compatibility with solution-processing techniques. In BHJ organic photovoltaic devices, nanoscale morphology and crystallinity of the photoactive layer critically influence photovoltaic performance. In this study, the effects of solvent selection and thermal annealing on crystallization evolution and photovoltaic characteristics of P3HT:PCBM organic solar cells were systematically investigated. Three different solvents, including toluene, chlorobenzene (CB), and dichlorobenzene (DCB), were employed for active-layer fabrication, followed by post-thermal annealing treatment. UV–visible absorption spectroscopy revealed solvent-dependent differences in molecular ordering and intermolecular π–π interactions within the active layer. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed that thermal annealing significantly enhanced crystallinity and lamellar ordering of P3HT domains, particularly for CB-processed films. Electrical characterization demonstrated that solvent evaporation behavior strongly affects photovoltaic performance. Among the investigated devices, the thermally annealed CB-processed device exhibited the highest power conversion efficiency of 1.83% with an enhanced short-circuit current density of 7.057 mA cm⁻². The improved device performance is attributed to optimized crystallization behavior and balanced nanoscale phase separation induced by the moderate evaporation characteristics of CB. In contrast, although DCB-assisted films exhibited relatively strong optical absorption and enhanced crystallinity, excessively slow solvent evaporation likely induced excessive aggregation and coarse phase separation, limiting efficient photovoltaic characteristics. These results demonstrate that solvent engineering combined with thermal annealing is an effective strategy for controlling morphology evolution and crystallization behavior in P3HT:PCBM bulk heterojunction solar cells.
This paper reviews the energy yield enhancement characteristics of bifacial photovoltaic systems combined with solar tracking, focusing on their performance relative to conventional monofacial fixed-tilt configurations. The fundamental mechanisms of yield improvement are summarized, highlighting the largely additive contributions of solar tracking, which increases front-side irradiance, and bifacial modules, which utilize rear-side reflected and diffuse radiation. Reported results from previous studies indicate that bifacial systems with single-axis tracking typically achieve 25–35% higher annual energy yield compared with standard monofacial fixed-tilt systems, with variations depending on environmental and design conditions. Key design and environmental considerations influencing system performance are discussed to provide practical insights for the application of bifacial tracking systems in utilityscale photovoltaic installations.
The safety and stability concerns of liquid electrolytes in conventional lithium-ion batteries have accelerated the development of solid-state alternatives. NASICON type ceramics Li1.5Al0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3 (LATP) offer promising properties, including high bulk ionic conductivity and good compatibility with lithium anodes. However, their practical application is hindered by grain boundary resistance and relatively low total ionic conductivity. This study investigates the effect of Ta2O5 doping on LATP to overcome these limitations. Doping with 5 wt% Ta2O5 improved the ionic conductivity to 2.95 × 10-4 S/cm by enhancing lattice structure, reducing grain boundary resistance, and suppressing the formation of secondary phase. Additionally, Ta2O5 positively influenced the sintering behavior, resulting in a denser, and more uniform microstructure. These enhancements suggest that Ta2O5-doped LATP is a strong candidate for next-generation all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries.
Bismuth layer-structured ferroelectrics with high Curie temperatures have recently attracted significant attention as promising candidates for high-temperature piezoelectric applications. However, the conventional solid-state reaction method entails high-temperature processing that induces bismuth volatilization, thereby degrading device reliability. In this study, we employed a co-precipitation method enabling atomic-level mixing to significantly lower the synthesis temperature of Nb/Tadoped Bi4Ti3O12 ceramics compared to the solid-state reaction method. Experimental results demonstrated that the coprecipitation method yielded a pure single phase at 600℃ without intermediate phases. Furthermore, the synthesized nanopowders, with an average size of 100 nm, lowered the onset temperature of sintering shrinkage to 650℃, approximately 200℃ lower than that of the solid-state counterpart. The low-temperature synthesis process proposed in this work is expected to contribute to the performance enhancement of high-temperature piezoelectric devices by effectively suppressing bismuth volatilization and ensuring compositional stability.
Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are attractive candidates for sustainable energy conversion due to their flexibility, lowcost processing, and compatibility with large-area fabrication. However, their efficiency is hindered by interfacial defects and vertical phase separation in the active layer, which induce charge imbalance and recombination losses. This work presents an interfacial engineering approach to overcome these limitations in P3HT:PC70BM-based OPVs. Two key strategies were employed: (i) reducing the post-deposition annealing time of the active layer to suppress PC70BM accumulation at the bottom electrode, and (ii) using a DCB:DCM mixed solvent system to regulate solvent evaporation, thereby promoting uniform film formation during PC70BM overlay deposition. Devices fabricated with these optimizations exhibited notable enhancements, achieving short-circuit current density up to 15.83 mA/cm2 and a 58.1% increase in power conversion efficiency compared to control devices. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed reduced surface aggregation of PC70BM, while X-ray diffraction indicated improved P3HT crystallinity and molecular ordering. These results highlight the critical role of interfacial and morphological control in enhancing charge separation and transport, offering a practical route toward efficient, reproducible, and stable OPVs.
Humidity monitoring of exhaled breath has emerged as a vital approach for noninvasive respiratory health assessment, underscoring the need for sensitive and reliable humidity sensors. Despite its high conductivity and hydrophilic functional groups, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) often undergoes irreversible moisture adsorption and gradual oxidation by residual water, resulting in sensitivity degradation and long-term instability during cycling. In this study, a montmorillonite/reduced graphene oxide (MMT/rGO) composite is developed as a room-temperature humidity-sensing material, exhibiting an optimized response of 115%, more than 14 times higher than that of pristine rGO. This superior performance originates from the synergistic interaction between the reversible MMT swelling and the conductive rGO network near the electrical percolation transition, which ensures excellent stability and repeatability under repeated humidity cycles. These findings suggest that the MMT/rGO composite provides a cost-effective and biocompatible platform for next-generation wearable humidity sensors capable of continuous respiratory monitoring.
Silicon carbide (SiC), with its wide bandgap and strong resistance to radiation and thermal conditions, is a promising material for ultraviolet (UV) photodetector applications under harsh environments. In this study, porous SiC thin films with thicknesses of 20, 50, and 80 nm were fabricated on 4H-SiC substrates using aerosol deposition (AD), which enables roomtemperature film formation. The device with a 50 nm-thick film exhibited the highest photoresponse under UV-C illumination (260 nm), achieving a maximum photo-to-dark current ratio (PDCR) of 205.2, a responsivity of 0.058 A/W, an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 27.71%, and a specific detectivity (D*) of 7.9×1011 Jones. These results are attributed to an optimized balance between photon absorption and carrier transport in the porous structure. The findings confirm the potential of ADfabricated porous SiC films for highly sensitive and scalable UV photodetector applications.
Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have attracted attention as new display materials due to their excellent optical properties, but their application is limited by the complexity of conventional synthesis methods and the film formation processes. As an alternative, color conversion film fabricated via the aerosol deposition (AD) process using CsPbBr₃/Al₂O₃ powder, a ceramic matrix-based MHP composite, has expanded the practical utility of MHPs by simplifying both the synthesis and film formation steps. Nevertheless, the hammering effect that occurs during the AD process can damage the MHP crystal structure, leading to degradation of its optical properties. Therefore, in this study, to overcome the problem of optical degradation, we compared the structural and photoluminescence (PL) properties of films fabricated by adding polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a material with a buffering effect, to the CsPbBr₃/Al₂O₃ starting powder at mass ratios of 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2 wt% to mitigate the hammering effect. The film containing 1 wt% PTFE exhibited the highest PL performance, achieving a luminous efficiency of 52.1 lm/W. This improvement is attributed to PTFE providing an optimal buffering effect without forming aggregates on the film surface. These results further enhance the applicability of AD-based color conversion films and are expected to contribute to the development of high-resolution display technologies.
The thermal management issue in OLED (organic light emitting diode) devices has a significant impact on the efficiency, reliability, and life time of the device. In particular, in OLED systems with multipolar or double cathode electrodes, it is important to accurately interpret the effect of heat generated by current flow between electrodes on the emitting layer. In this study, the governing equation was established based on the heat conduction equation to mathematically model and analyze this heat distribution, and the heat distribution analysis was performed using the COMSOL program. It was confirmed that the temperature generated in the OLED with the double cathode structure reached a maximum of 343.157 K centered on the emitting layer. The heat distribution generated in the proposed OLED structure with the double cathode electrodes was confirmed to be highly distributed in the center toward the double cathode electrodes, which is believed to be because the arrangement of the double cathode electrodes improves the symmetrical distribution of temperature while reducing power consumption.
Porous polymeric structures with piezoelectric properties have attracted considerable attention in the fields of biomaterials and tissue engineering due to their ability to convert mechanical stimuli into electrical signals. However, conventional fabrication methods for porous structures often face limitations in controlling pore architecture, maintaining structural uniformity, and achieving process reproducibility, in addition to requiring complex processing conditions. To address these issues, we propose a facile and reproducible fabrication method for porous poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) piezoelectric sponges using molded sugar cubes as sacrificial pore templates. By adjusting the particle size of the sugar templates, the pore size and distribution of the sponges could be effectively controlled, and a uniform open-pore network was achieved. The fabricated sponges were evaluated with a focus on pore morphology, mechanical behavior, and piezoelectric performance depending on the sugar particle size, and these evaluations confirmed the structural properties and functional efficacy. This study presents a simple and reproducible fabrication strategy along with a quantitative analysis method for porous structures, which is expected to enhance process accessibility and practical applicability in the development of piezoelectric polymer-based biomaterial platforms.
The solution-based fabrication process for resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) offers several advantages over conventional vapor deposition processes, including simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and high versatility for coating complex structures over large areas. In this study, a TiO₂-based ReRAM device was fabricated using a solution process with Pt top and P++-Si bottom electrodes. The synthesized TiO₂ films contain a residual Cl element as revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Reversible volatile resistance switching was observed due to the formation of conductive Ti-O-Ti networks in the TiO₂ layer. Post-annealing led to an increase in the threshold voltage (Vth). Asymmetric Current-Voltage characteristics was observed due to the different in the work functions of the electrodes. Additionally, the influence of compliance current settings on filament formation and hysteresis behavior was systematically investigated. The results demonstrated that higher compliance currents enhanced the hysteresis width for both positive and negative voltage bias conditions.
This study explores the realization of high-efficiency white LED lighting by applying cyan-emitting quantum dot (CQD) and red-emitting quantum dot (R-QD) deposition without any host matrix onto a yellow-emitting phosphor-in-glass (YPIG) substrate using an aerosol-assisted deposition (AAD) process. The AAD process facilitates the direct formation of densely packed QD-deposited layers on the substrate, effectively addressing challenges such as optical efficiency loss and degradation typically associated with organic host matrices. C-QD and R-QD coatings, deposited with thicknesses of 0.84 μm and 0.77 μm on the upper and lower Y-PIG substrate, exhibited robust color conversion properties. These films achieved a luminous efficacy of 77 lm/W and a high color rendering index (CRI) of 96.8 under blue light excitation. The dual-layer structure produced highquality light closely resembling natural daylight, as confirmed through real image. Consequently, the research suggests the potential of AAD-based QD deposition to achieve superior performance without relying on host matrices, offering a viable solution for high-efficiency lighting applications. Further optimization of deposition parameters and exploration of diverse substrates and QD material combinations are expected to expand the applicability of this technique in future research.
Iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) have gained significant attention for their broad applicability in biomedical imaging, soft robotics, and catalysis owing to their exceptional magnetic properties and biocompatibility. A key challenge in maximizing their functionality lies in achieving a uniform size distribution and dispersity, alongside strong interfacial affinity with the surrounding medium that are essential for optimizing magnetic behavior and processibility. In this study, we present a facile solvothermal synthesis of monodisperse iron oxide NPs with tunable size and controllable surface hydrophobicity by varying precursors, capping agents, and solvents. By varying these synthesis parameters, we demonstrate a clear correlation between NP size, dispersity, and key magnetic properties, including saturation magnetization (MS) and coercivity (HC). This advancement in synthesis methodology offers a reliable, efficient approach for producing high-quality iron oxide NPs, which makes possible for practical use of them across a range of technological and biomedical applications.
Hazardous gas leakage incidents rank among the most serious safety accidents, leading to significant loss of life, extensive property damage, and severe environmental pollution. This paper describes an innovative IoT-based Assembly Double Pipe System (IADPS) designed for the prevention, early detection, and automated isolation of toxic gas leaks. The proposed system features a double-layered pipe design, with nitrogen charged between the inner and outer pipes, and gas detectors installed at strategic locations. This configuration is intended to prevent pipe corrosion, suppress ignition caused by escaping gas, and facilitate the early detection of gas leaks, thereby mitigating the risk of safety accidents. Furthermore, the system includes a comprehensive real-time monitoring system for pipe integrity and gas leakage, as well as an automated gas leakage detection and isolation system to quickly respond to any incidents.
One method to increase the output of solar modules is the application of the Half-cut technique, which requires a scribing process involving direct irradiation of infrared lasers on the solar cells. During this process, the laser melts the surface of the solar cells at high temperatures, enabling mechanical division, but this can lead to output loss due to thermal degradation caused by the laser. To minimize such losses, a low-temperature and low-loss division method has been devised. In this study, we compared the electrical characteristics and leakage currents affecting output degradation between the newly devised low temperature and low-loss cell division method and the conventional laser division method. Additionally, we conducted a 3-point flexural test to evaluate the mechanical properties of both methods.
MBB (multi-busbar) technology is a module technology to achieve high power, and the use of a number of thin circular metal wires increases light-receiving capacity and reduces resistance. In the process of interconnection using a wire, the stress of the cell increases depending on the degree of coupling between the wire and the cell and the degree of damage caused by heat, or the mobility of current decreases due to poor bonding. The degree of such loss is affected by IR lamp, hot plate temperature and wire thickness. In addition, the values of contact resistance were compared and analyzed to analyze the cause of the decrease in electrical characteristics. In this study, process condition optimization was carried out through peeling test, SEM analysis, EL test, and pre/post bonding efficiency characteristic analysis of the bonded cell according to process conditions, compared the contact resistance.
In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, electronic devices are becoming increasingly miniaturized and lightweight to overcome spatial limitations, necessitating lower power consumption. Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, offer an ideal solution as small-scale power generators for these compact devices. Recent research has focused on various materials and structural designs to maximize the output of triboelectric energy harvesters, highlighting the growing importance of theoretical structure analysis software for precise evaluation. COMSOL Multiphysics software provides an accurate method for simulating the electrical characteristics of TENGs. This Tutorial Status Report introduces the process of modeling TENGs and analyzing their electrical output using COMSOL Multiphysics
Quantum computing is set to transform the field of materials science, offering computational methods that could far surpass conventional approaches for tackling intricate material design challenges. This review introduces the foundational principles of rapidly growing quantum computing and its application trends in the design and analysis of nanomaterials. We explain how quantum speedup, achieved through quantum algorithms utilizing qubit superposition and entanglement, is applied to material design. Additionally, the principles and research trends of quantum variational methods, including the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE), which has recently gained attention as a quantum algorithm simulation technique, will be discussed. By combining new techniques based on quantum algorithms with the quantum speed-up, the quantum computing is expected to offer new insights into data-intensive materials research and provide innovative methodologies for the development of new functional materials. With the advancement of quantum algorithms, the field of materials science could enter a new era, enabling more precise and efficient approaches in materials design and functional analysis.
The possibility of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) submodule was evaluated as an independent power source that can drive a smart liquid crystal window (SLW) that selectively blocks sunlight when electricity is applied. In order to save energy and increase the functionality of buildings, SLW operation was supplied directly from DSSC submodule, rather than connecting to the existing power system and external power sources. It was confirmed that the SLW can control light transmittance through self-generation using the DSSC submodule composed of 6 cells at low light of 2,500 lux. These results imply that there is a high possibility of combining smart windows and DSSCs suitable for window-type building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems. DSSCs, which can self-generate power in low light, are expected to increase their usability in urban BIPV systems through combination with smart window technology.
Next-generation wide-bandgap semiconductors such as SiC, GaN, and Ga2O3 are being considered as potential replacements for current silicon-based power devices due to their high mobility, larger size, and production of high-quality wafers at a moderate cost. In this study, we investigate the gradual modulation of chemical composition in multi-stacked metal oxide semiconductor thin films to enhance the performance and bias stability of thin-film transistors (TFTs). It demonstrates that adjusting the Ga ratio in the indium gallium oxide (IGO) semiconductor allows for precise control over the threshold voltage and enhances device stability. Moreover, employing multiple deposition techniques addresses the inherent limitations of solution-processed amorphous oxide semiconductor TFTs by mitigating porosity induced by solvent evaporation. It is anticipated that solution-processed indium gallium oxide (IGO) semiconductors, with a Ga ratio exceeding 50%, can be utilized in the production of oxide semiconductors with wide band gaps. These materials hold promise for power electronic applications necessitating high voltage and current capabilities.
Organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices have attracted attention due to their high efficiency and simple manufacturing process. Applying an overlayer to OPV devices is one way to improve their performance because it can improve charge extraction and suppress vertical phase separation. In addition, dichloromethane (DCM) was used as an orthogonal solvent to minimize the effect on other layers. However, an coating problems due to the use of DCM were found, which affects surface morphology as rough or peeling. Additional research efforts are needed to solve these problems, and optimal results are expected to be obtained by utilizing various buffer layers or selective organic solvents.
The expansion of lithium-ion battery usage beyond portable electronic devices to electric vehicles and energy storage systems is driven by their high energy density and favorable cycle characteristics. Enhancing the stability and performance of these batteries involves exploring solid electrolytes as alternatives to liquid ones. While sulfide-based solid electrolytes have received significant attention for commercialization, research on amorphous-phase glass solid electrolytes in oxide-based systems remains limited. Here, we investigate the glass transition temperatures and sintering behaviors by changing the molecular ratio of Li2O/B2O3 in borate glass comprising Li2O-B2O3-Al2O3 system. The glass transition temperature is decreasing as increasing the amount of Li2O. When we sintered at 450℃, just above the glass transition temperature, the samples did not consolidate well, while the proper sintered samples could be obtained under the higher temperature. We successfully obtained the borate glass ceramics phases by melt-quenching method, and the sintering characteristics are investigated. Future studies could explore optimizing ion conductivity through refining processing conditions, adjusting the glass former-to-modifier ratio, and incorporating additional Li salt to enhance the ionic conductivity.
This study investigates the post-thermal treatment effects on the efficiency of silicon heterojunction solar cells, specifically examining the influence of annealing on p-type microcrystalline silicon oxide and ITO thin films. By assessing changes in carrier concentration, mobility, resistivity, transmittance, and optical bandgap, we identified conditions that optimize these properties. Results reveal that appropriate annealing significantly enhances the fill factor and current density, leading to a notable improvement in overall solar cell efficiency. This research advances our understanding of thermal processing in siliconbased photovoltaics and provides valuable insights into the optimization of production techniques to maximize the performance of solar cells.
In this study, KTN heterolayer thin films were fabricated by alternately stacking films of K(Ta0.70Nb0.30)O3 and K(Ta0.55Nb0.45)O3 synthesized using the sol-gel method. The sintering temperature and time were 750℃ and 1 hour, respectively. All specimens exhibited a polycrystalline pseudo-cubic crystal structure, with a lattice constant of approximately 0.398 nm. The average grain size was around 130~150 nm, indicating relatively uniform sizes regardless of the number of coatings. The average thickness of a single-coated film was approximately 70 nm. The phase transition temperature of the KTN heterolayer films was found to be approximately 8~12℃. Moreover, the 6-coated KTN heterolayer film displayed an excellent dielectric constant of about 11,000. As the number of coatings increased, and consequently the film thickness, the remanent polarization increased, while the coercive field decreased. The 6-coated KTN heterolayer film exhibited a remanent polarization and coercive field of 11.4 μC/cm2 and 69.3 kV/cm at room temperature, respectively. ΔT showed the highest value at a temperature slightly above the Curie temperature, and for the 6-coated KTN heterolayer film, the ΔT and ΔT/ΔE were approximately 1.93 K and 0.128×10-6 K·m/V around 40℃, respectively.
This work focuses on improving the light-harvesting efficiency of thin-film silicon solar cells through innovative multi-architecture surface modifications. To create a regular optical structure, a lithographic process was performed to form it on a glass substrate through various etching processes, from Etch-1 to Etch-3. AZO was deposited on top of the structures and re-etched to create a multi-architectural surface. These surface-modified structures improved the light absorption and overall performance of the solar cell through changes in optical and physical properties, which we will analyze. In addition, we investigated the effect of post-cleaning on the etched glass structures through EDX analysis to understand the mechanism of the etching action. The results of this study are expected to provide important guidelines for the design and fabrication of solar cells and other photovoltaic devices.
The key to determining the lifetime of OLED device is how much brightness can be maintained. It can be said that there are internal and external causes for the degradation of OLED devices. The most important cause of internal degradation is bonding and degradation in the excited state due to the electrochemical instability of organic materials. The structure of OLED modeled in this paper consists of a cathode layer, electron injection layer (EIL), electron transport layer (ETL), light emission layer, hole transport layer (HTL), hole injection layer (HIL), and anode layer on a glass substrate from top to bottom. It was confirmed that the temperature generated in OLED was distributed around the maximum of 343.15 K centered on the emission layer. It can be seen that the heat distribution generated in the presented OLED structure has an asymmetrically high temperature distribution toward the cathode, which is believed to be because the sizes of the cathode and positive electrode are asymmetric. Therefore, when designing OLED, it is believed that designing the structures of the cathode and anode electrodes as symmetrically as possible can ensure uniform heat distribution, maintain uniform luminance of OLED, and extend the lifetime. The thermal distribution of OLED was analyzed using the finite element method according to Comsol 5.2.
Currently, the most developed new energy source is solar energy. Because solar power is installed outside, it is exposed to many pollutants. Pollutants are causing the characteristics of solar energy to deteriorate. Therefore, this study aims to develop a water-repellent coating to prevent contamination of solar modules. Silica and Titania materials are mainly used as water-repellent coating materials. In this study, it was based on silica and the contact angle characteristics were measured according to the change in the amount of silica and ammonia water added and the number of coatings. As a result of the measurement, it was confirmed that the contact angle was more than 60 degrees when 0.5 mol of TEOS was added to 50 mL and 0.15 M when 1 mL of ammonia water was added to 296.47 ml of distilled water. And it was confirmed that the contact angle improved when the number of coatings was applied twice. A water-repellent coating material was applied to low iron tempered glass used to protect dye-sensitized solar cell modules. The characteristics of the module were measured after spraying DI-Water on low-emission tempered glass with a water-repellent coating. As a result of the measurement, the efficiency of the module without application, the efficiency of the module coated once, and the module coated twice were 4.87%, 4.90%, and 4.91%, respectively. It was confirmed that the efficiency of the module increased by applying water-repellent coating. As a result of this study, it is determined that the water-repellent coating material will help improve solar power generation efficiency and lifespan by being self-cleaning and non-reflective.